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.Grey goo (alternatively spelled gray
goo) is a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario involving molecular nanotechnology in
which out-of-control self-replicating
robots consume all matter on Earth while building more of themselves,[1][2] a
scenario known as ecophagy ("eating the environment").^Following (0) Grey goo — a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario in which out-of-control self-replicating robots consume all matter on Earth while building more of themselves Folkert (25,747 views) Filed under roxy paine , machine art , eric drexler .

Grey goo — a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario in which... - but does it float11 January 2010 0:22 UTCbutdoesitfloat.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Self-replicating machines of the macroscopic variety were
originally described by mathematician John von Neumann, and are sometimes
referred to as von Neumann machines.^Gray goo is the scenario popularized in Michael Crichton's novel Prey , in which tiny self-replicating nano-machines take over the world.

.The term
grey goo was coined by nanotechnology pioneer Eric Drexler in
his 1986 book Engines of Creation.^We can thank Eric Drexler of MIT for the term nanotechnology which he coined in 1981, and the concept of grey goo in 1986 - though not the disproportionate attention and hysteria.

^The term "Grey Goo" comes from science fiction and nanotechnology and refers to how an out of control self-replicating nanobot "army" might look like to an outside observer before it consumes the entire world.

.In the
worst postulated scenarios (requiring large, space-capable
machines), matter beyond Earth would also be turned into goo (with
goo meaning a large mass of replicating nanomachines
lacking large-scale structure, which may or may not actually appear
goo-like).^In a worst-case scenario, all of the matter in the universe could be turned into goo (with "goo" meaning a large mass of replicating nanomachines lacking large-scale structure, which may or may not actually appear goo-like), killing the universe's residents.

.The disaster is posited to result from a deliberate doomsday
device, or from an accidental mutation in a self-replicating nanomachine
used only for other purposes, but designed to operate in a natural
environment.^Such nanomachines could even be designed to use self-assembly to replicate.

^The term was first used by molecular nanotechnology pioneer Eric Drexler in his 1986 book Engines of Creation to describe a possible doomsday scenario in which out-of-control, self-replicating nanomachines essentially destroy all life on Earth.

Popular
culture

.Denial-of-service attacks in the virtual
world Second Life
which work by infinitely replicating objects until the server
crashes are referred to as grey goo attacks.^Exporting self-replicating grey goo objects currently not available.